Mikel Arteta faced the media ahead of Arsenal's clash with Girona in the Champions League on Wednesday night. He gave his reaction to the news that Myles Lewis-Skelly has seen a red card appeal successfully upheld, meaning will be available for the weekend.

He was further asked for a response to the abuse suffered by Michael Oliver in the wake of the weekend decision. Plus, there was even time for a quick query about the remaining days of the January transfer window.

You can read every word from the press conference which football.london was in attendance for here.

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What's your reaction to Myles Lewis-Skelly's successful appeal?

Obviously very happy that the decision has been made and that Myles is going to be able to play for us again in the next few games.

What's your view on the abuse that Michael Oliver has suffered?

The same as every time I talk about that topic, regardless of whether it is a player or a coach, or a referee - it does not matter. We have to really work harder to try to eradicate that part of the game that brings nothing but bad stuff, bad taste and it makes people's lives more difficult. Let's get it out, let's kick it out.

Is that your message to the angry Arsenal fans?

For everyone in football. You should not be permitted [to do that]. We don't want it, we don't need it and it certainly damages our sport. Let's get it out.

Desire to rotate with Man City in mind or go strong like PSV dead rubber last year?

We are here to win the game and in order to do that we are going to have to be better than them. They're a really good side, if you look at every game they have played in the Champions League, against top opposition, they have made life very, very difficult for them. So, tomorrow we play a really strong team and we want to achieve what we want to do - which is mathematically qualify for the best spot - and at the moment, that is uncertain.

You've spoken about desire to sign a striker, but if you can't do that are you open to adding to squad in another position?

Well, there are situations open and I always say the same. If we can improve the squad with players that can impact us for now, for the future, we will try to do that if it is the best thing for the club - and I stand on that.

Has Lewis-Skelly's availability for the weekend changed the way you will look at the selection for tomorrow’s game?

Well, it does affect, yes, because obviously, we've had a lot of uncertainty, not only for Sunday, but for tomorrow and for the next few games as well, so now we have more options, he's going to be available and it's something very positive for the team.

Mikel Merino returns to Spain, how has he dealt with those challenges?

Yeah, it's been quite unfortunate, to be honest, but Mikel’s character is unbelievable, so he's so determined, so we have some rhythm now, some momentum, he had very good moments, especially in the last few weeks with us, and unfortunately he had a little niggle, it was nothing serious, but we play nearly two and a half days, so you miss two matches. He's fit again, he's available and I'm happy to have him on the team.

How is Myles?

He was sleeping on the plane when I looked back and I got the news, so I haven't spoken to him, but I imagine a big smile on his face.

Did you not wake him up?

No, I was working and he was in the back row, so I didn't.

How do we go about tackling the abuse the people in the sport face?

First of all, spending more time making the right decisions with the right people to get it out, and then putting, like the same we have put in laws and measures and regulation in that kind of thing, they do that, why we haven't done it? We are all talking about it, but no one seems to be moving strongly enough and bringing people with them to get that out of the game, because it's just unacceptable.

On the appeal, what does it show, the fact that just hours after you submitted it, you've won?

I don't know, I'm not an expert on the field, obviously, the club has put all the evidence and everything that they could put together to defend our position, and it was pretty fast, so good to know today basically that's helpful, so thank you.

In terms of playing away in the Champions League, you guys have obviously played really well. Compared to last season, what's the difference?

Well, we're more consistent and I think we've been better, as you've said. Understand that it's extremely difficult to win and overplay opposition in the Champions League, and tomorrow we're going to face a very good opposition, and we're going to have to be very good to beat them.

Just in terms of that in the Champions League, when you look forward to the knockout stages, I know it's not fully 100 per cent yet, but with the preparation, do you feel like away performances are probably what you're looking at more than the home ones, in terms of wanting to improve from last year?

Yeah, both, and every game, every scenario, every context is going to be different. And it's coming here then we need something from the game today, that's why we're here, to win. And from the first minute, we have the attitude and the determination to go for the game, and hopefully deliver what we want.

About Kai, is this a chance to rest him?

Yeah, we have a lot of players with a lot of loads. He's not an exception, obviously, but he's worried, he's desiring. The way he trained today, he's just telling you that he wants to play again tomorrow. And some players, when they are in the ring, in the rhythm, they want to continue to do that because they feel better like this.

There's a contradiction at the heart of the new Champions League format, which is to play two more games because everyone wants two more games, but the reward for doing well is to have two less games. What are you thinking about in terms of that period, if you don't have those two games because you finished the top eight? How are you going to use that spell? Is that an opportunity maybe to give the players a break, or maybe to work on some of the stuff that you haven't been able to work on because of the rhythm of the games? How do you plan to use that gap if indeed you end up getting it?

Well, we've got already a few ideas. We still have to earn the right to do what we ideally want, and yes, we will certainly use it for the right reasons that you already mentioned.

What do you think of the multi-club arrangement, the multi-club model? And would you worry that it might distort the market if you were, say, in for a player that Girona would, interested in Girona, would say, well, this could be a route to Manchester City?

I can respond to any question related to a coach or performance or their position, but around those topics I prefer not to talk about it.

(Further question answered in Spanish on Michael Oliver abuse on the problem the sport has with it - translated)

We're always putting a lot of emphasis on where football is going in the next five, ten years; on the rules, and all that sort of thing. But I think one of the most important things we can do is create an environment that's much better at a social level; one that's healthier, that's nicer, in which we reward things that are not only winning, that when people make mistakes they have the chance to fix it. We shouldn't be here with this hatred, these things we see, because they affect everyone and in the end, they take away the joy of this sport, the reason for it; which is to enjoy ourselves, and have good moments.